BLM New Mexico partners with Wilderness Inquiry for Canoemobile event

From April 9-12, BLM New Mexico staff joined the Wilderness Inquiry crew to host the state’s third annual Canoemobile event at Cochiti Lake, New Mexico. This traveling event is known as a “floating classroom” and brings students of all ages and abilities out on local waterways to learn about science, history, geography, and culture.

“I always find it interesting when some of the kids arrive that they’re a bit nervous about canoeing,” said Leon O’Hart, BLM Park Ranger. “They get excited as soon as they start learning about water safety, how safe the life vests are, and how the paddle works to make the canoe move forward, turn left, and turn right.”

Between trips on the lake, students explored educational, land-based stations manned by event organizers and partner organizations, learning about topics ranging from water safety to local geology to environmental science.

When asked why he became involved with the Canoemobile event, BLM Hydrologist Charles Schaub said he hoped to “encourage the local youth to appreciate the natural world and to want to do something to protect it.”

Schaub used watercolors and spray bottles to demonstrate how watersheds flow. “I feel like the main thing the kids got out of it was a better understanding of how the Rio Grande works and how what we do in a watershed may impact the water we rely on," he said. 

Following the event, reviews from the public and visiting schools were positive.

"The students were so excited to tell me about Canoemobile! Students learned about putting on life jackets and how to ‘drive’ a canoe," said Jeff Pinkerton, Executive Director of Exceptional Student Services for Capital High School in Santa Fe, New Mexico. "One student was scared, but the staff was able to recognize her fear and offered to hold her hand. Those facilitating Canoemobile, both the canoeing portion and educational land stations, make this such an enjoyable experience for children of all walks of life."

Many partners made this event a success, including the Army Corps of Engineers, New Mexico State Parks, Public Lands Interpretative Association, Sandia Mountain Natural History Center, New Mexico Bass Nation, and the BLM.

To the BLM staff who participated in the event, a Wilderness Inquiry crew member said, “Thanks for being such a great partner and showing us cool spots in the area… hope to see you all next year!”